Vitali Klitschko will fight Dereck Chisora before facing David Haye

Vitali Klitschko will defend his World Boxing Council heavyweight title
against Britain’s Dereck Chisora on Feb 18, scuppering the Ukrainian’s plans
to fight former world heavyweight champion David Haye in early March.

Split decision: Dereck Chisora was beaten by Robert Helenius last month but impressed enough to earn a fight with Vitali KlitschkoPhoto: AP

By Gareth A Davies

7:00PM GMT 12 Dec 2011

Promoter Frank Warren has completed contract talks for the London heavyweight to go to Munich, in Germany to fight, which would complete a remarkable year for Chisora.

Wladimir Klitschko has twice been forced by injury to pull out of fights with Chisora in the past 12 months. The bout was eventually dropped altogether by three-belt heavyweight champion Wladimir in favour of a super-fight with Haye last July.

At the time Chisora was unbeaten. Since then, he has lost in two exciting fights to world title prospects.

Chisora looked sluggish in losing the British and Commonwealth titles to rival British heavyweight Tyson Fury in July.

Yet 10 days ago, he looked impressive against giant Finn Robert Helenius, in Helsinki. Chisora had shed 17lb since fighting Fury and pursued his opponent vigorously for 12 rounds.

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Helenius got the split points decision but it was marginal. “Chisora is an interesting opponent,” said Vitali Klitschko, 40. “For me, he won the European Championship against Robert Helenius quite clearly.”

Klitschko’s management team suggested on Monday that the contest with Haye would be moved to next June – also in Germany, although Haye said that he is “still officially retired”.

Behind the scenes negotiations are continuing, but Haye’s camp failed to meet the Dec 10 deadline to sign the deal to face Vitali.

Helenius is now sidelined by a broken hand which he suffered against Chisora.

However, it is due to the Briton’s all-action style and marketability that the Klitschko team have turned to give him a shot at the title